About

The Wisconsin International Scholars Program was launched in 2003 as an initiative of the International Division, along with the energy and commitment of a group of faculty members. The vision for the program was to create an internationally focused honors program that would introduce students to significant global issues, ideas, and experiences from their very first semester in Madison. The Wisconsin International Scholars program is aimed at creating a foundation for International engagement and understanding that will serve students not only during their time in Madison but throughout their lives and careers.

Applicants apply to the WISc program as prospective first year students. As members of the WISc program students commit to a common core of course work including a WISc seminar, a global comparative studies course, and four semesters of foreign language study while at UW. Through regular meetings and events the program provides opportunities to discuss international issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.

With the generous support of International Academic Programs students making satisfactory progress in the program can take advantage of two study abroad grants totaling $3000 to continue gaining additional global perspective and knowledge through one of our many excellent UW study abroad programs.

Wisconsin International Scholars are taking the idea of “global competency” in new and exciting directions. Students are pursuing majors across campus, from the languages, to engineering, bio-engineering, environmental studies, genetics, international business, and economics. Many of our students combine majors and certificates in ways that highlight the unique global competence and perspective they bring to the table.

Our students are path breakers, choosing to study abroad all over the world, studying a variety of languages, each on their own path, but connected through their common commitments to being engaged local and global citizens. Our alumni are equally diverse in scope and experience: they work for NASA, are international journalists and business leaders, global health specialists, artists, doctors, teachers, scientists, civil servants.